1.   Lobbying by special-interest groups, including the American Medical Association and insurance organizations, has been intense since early this year.

2.   The recent skirmishing in Iraq is the most intense since last July and August.

3.   Fighting in this area of Bosnia known as the Bihac pocket has been intense since last summer.

4.   The Serbs started the shelling, which appeared to be the most intense since the heaviest fighting in two years erupted last week, U.N. officials said.

5.   United Nations officials said the shelling appeared to be the most intense since a two-day bout of fighting last week, the heaviest in two years.